A British man accused of spying for Russia said he worked for Israel.

British Howard Phillips, who was accused of spying for Russia in 2024, told the court that he was actually trying to "expose" the agents and transfer information about them to Israel. The Guardian writes about this.

In 2024, 65-year-old Phillips was charged with assisting foreign intelligence after he handed over a flash drive with data on then-Secretary of Defense Grant Shapps to alleged Russian agents. We are talking, in particular, about the home address and location of the minister's private plane.

Phillips then pleaded not guilty. In 2025, speaking at the Royal Court of Winchester, he said that he did not act against the UK, but carried out a secret conspiracy to "trap" Russian spies.

The Briton told the court that he is Jewish and hopes to pass on information about Russian spies to Israel, because he believes that this will "benefit" the state. Your attitude to Phillips described Russia as "very negative."

Phillips was arrested on May 16, 2024 in central London. The police also conducted searches at two addresses, but stated that the arrest of the suspect is not related to any previous investigations, in addition, there is no threat "to the general public."

Shortly before this incident — in the first half of May — the British Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to announce to him measures as part of a "major package" of measures to identify and suppress Russian intelligence gathering operations in the UK. The Russian Foreign Ministry promised an adequate response to these actions.